Lavandula plant named ‘Lavang 38’

ABSTRACT

A new cultivar of  Lavandula  plant named ‘Lavang 38’ that is characterized by vibrant violet-blue corollas, and low-growing compact bushy habit. These traits set it apart from all other existing varieties of  Lavandula  known to the inventor.

Genus: Lavandula.

Species: angustifolia.

Denomination: Lavang 38.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of lavenderknown botanically as Lavandula angustifolia and hereinafter referred toby the cultivar name ‘Lavang 38’. The new invention is a selectedseedling from a group of seedlings produced by the open pollinationbetween Lavandula angustifolia ‘Midhall’ (unpatented) and anunidentified Lavandula angustifolia cultivar. The female parent plant is‘Midhall’ and the male parent plant is an unidentified cultivar ofLavandula angustifolia. ‘Lavang 38’ was discovered by the inventor in acultivated area of Christchurch, New Zealand in 1995.

The new lavender ‘Lavang 38’ is distinct and was selected for compactbushy habit, flower spike colour, and striking presence. ‘Lavang 38’ isdistinguishable from the parent plant, and all other existing varietiesknown to the inventor, by colour and size of spike, positioning ofpeduncles, foliage colour, shape of plant, and low growing habit.

The new variety ‘Lavang 38’ was first asexually propagated by theinventor in Christchurch, New Zealand in 1997 using soft tosemi-hardwood cuttings. Since that time subsequent generations have beendetermined fixed, stable and true to type.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and represent thedistinguishing characteristics of the new Lavandula cultivar ‘Lavang38’. These traits in combination distinguish ‘Lavang 38’ from all otherexisting varieties of Lavandula known to the inventor. ‘Lavang 38’ hasnot been tested under all possible conditions and phenotypic differencesmay be observed with variations in environmental, climatic, and culturalconditions, however, without any variance in genotype.

1. Lavandula ‘Lavang 38’ exhibits a compact, bushy habit.

2. Lavandula ‘Lavang 38’ exhibits a combination of violet-blue corollasand violet calyx colour.

3. Lavandula ‘Lavang 38’ exhibits a low height for a Lavandulaangustifolia cultivar.

4. Lavandula ‘Lavang 38’ is particularly floriferous when pruned and fedcorrectly.

5. Lavandula ‘Lavang 38’ is hardy to USDA Zone 5.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying color drawings illustrate the overall appearance of thenew cultivar ‘Lavang 38’ showing colors as true as it is reasonablypossible to obtain in colored reproductions of this type. Colors in thedrawings may differ from the color values cited in the detailedbotanical description, which accurately describe the actual colors ofthe new variety ‘Lavang 38’. The drawings illustrate 3-year-old plantsgrowing out-of-doors in the ground in Christchurch, New Zealand.

The drawing labeled as

FIG. 1 shows the entire plant from an above and side view perspective,illustrating the plant habit and the flower spikes while in bud.

The drawing labeled as

FIG. 2 shows a close-up on the flower spike, with individual flower budsand flowers open.

Both drawings are made using conventional photographic techniques andalthough colors may appear different from actual colors due to lightreflectance, they are as accurate as possible by conventionalphotography.

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

The following is a detailed description of the new Lavandulaangustifolia cultivar named ‘Lavang 38’. Data was collected in WestMelton, Canterbury, New Zealand from plants grown in the open ground andin dry conditions. Phenotypic differences may be observed withvariations in environmental, climatic, and cultural conditions, withouthowever, any difference in genotype. Color determinations are inaccordance with The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart exceptwhere general color terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used.Color determination using The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chartwas conducted using the light box at The New Zealand Plant VarietyRights Office at Lincoln, Canterbury, New Zealand. Please note that thebrown, green and violet range in these charts do not have an adequatecolor range to match that seen in lavender. The growing requirements aresimilar to the species and no disease problems have been observed.

Botanical classification: Lavandula angustifolia ‘Lavang 38’.

Species: angustifolia.

Common name: Lavender.

Parentage: ‘LAVANG 38’ is a hybrid seedling that resulted from openpollination of the following parent plants:

Female parent plant.—Lavandula angustifolia ‘Midhall’ (unpatented).

Male parent plant.—Unidentified Lavandula angustifolia cultivar.

Type: Aromatic perennial shrub.

Use: Front of border, low hedging, potted or feature plant.

Growth rate: Average for a Lavandula angustifolia cultivar.

Habit: Bushy compact habit with ascending flower spikes.

Shape: Round.

Height: 40 cm in height.

Spread: Approximately 40 cm in width.

Hardiness: USDA Zone 5.

Disease susceptibility: In common with the species Lavandulaangustifolia, Lavang 38 may be susceptible to Lavender leafspot(Septoria lavandulae) or to bacterial blast (pseudomonas syringae) or toPhoma if conditions are very wet or if plants are overwatered. Lavang 38is not considered unusually or, in comparison with other known cultivarsof the species, differently susceptible to any of these pathogens whoseoccurrence is more associated with adverse growing conditions.

Propagation method: Vegetative cuttings, tissue culture.

Root system: Fibrous.

Soil: Plant in well-drained soil.

Light levels: Plant in full sun.

Special needs: Prune after flowering to maintain shape — will continueto flower if left but will need pruning prior to winter. Pruning willenhance number of flowers the following season.

Time to initiate roots: 21 to 36 days are needed to develop roots on anunrooted cutting.

Time to develop to a one-gallon: 6 months is needed to produce afinished 1-gallon container from a rooted cutting.

Branching habit: Foliage branched, erect, upright and compact.

Seasonal interest: Vibrant violet flower spikes (large corollas) in Juneand July.

Stem:

Stem shape.—Square.

Stem surface.—Main stems can be glabrous or puberulent, side branchesare puberulent.

Stem color.—165D (pale orange-brown).

Stem size.—1-3 mm in diameter.

Foliage:

Arrangement.—Semi-upright stems with whorls of leaves, arranged oppositealong stem. A basal pair of leaves subtend each whorl of leaves. Regulararrangement of leaves along stems.

Leaf division.—Simple.

Apices.—Obtuse.

Base.—Truncate.

Margins.—Entire and markedly revolute.

Leaf shape.—Linear.

Color of mature leaves (upper).—188C (grey-green).

Color of mature leaves (lower).—188C (grey-green).

Color of young leaves (upper).—192B (pale green).

Color of young leaves (lower surfaces).—Too revolute to view.

Upper and lower surfaces.—Puberulent.

Venation.—Mid vein depressed on upper surface and protruding beneath,side veins noticeable on lower surface with magnification. Generallyleaves too revolute to see lower surface veining.

Internodes.—1-15 mm in length.

Foliar fragrance.—Sweet.

Petiole.—Sessile.

Length of mature leaves.—Approximately 1-2 cm. in length.

Width of mature leaves.—0.8-1.5 mm. in width.

Flower: Spike.

Type of inflorescence.—Terminal spike.

Size of inflorescence.—1.5-6 cm in length and 1-2 cm in width.

Shape of inflorescence.—Cylindric with whorls of flowers arranged evenlyalong stem.

Base whorl.—2-4 cm below main spike.

Peduncles.—6-14 cm in height and 0.2-1 mm in width.

Peduncle position.—Semi-upright.

Peduncle color.—143A (green).

Lateral branches on peduncle.—Occasional semi-stalked lateralsterminated with mostly one flower. These laterals may be on one side ofthe peduncle or on both sides.

Flower shape.—Tubular.

Corolla.—Two-lipped with upper lip 2-lobed and lower lip 3-lobed.

Corolla color.—88A (vibrant violet).

Bud color.—90A (bright violet-blue).

Calyx color.—90A (bright violet-blue).

Calyx surface.—Puberulent to densely pubescent.

Bracteoles.—Present but insignificant.

Bracteole length.—0.5 mm.

Fertile bract size.—Small, approximately 2 mm wide and 1.5 mm long.

Sterile bracts.—Not present.

Fragrance.—Unusual scent but sweet, slightly reminiscent of unscentedsoap.

Blooming period (New Zealand).—December and January.

Blooming period (U.S.A.).—June and July.

Reproductive organs: Stamens: 4.

Stamen length ( 2 posterior).—2 mm.

Stamen length ( 2 anterior).—1 mm.

Pistil.—1.

Pistil length.—5 mm.

Pistil diameter.—Less than 0.25 mm.

Filament diameter.—Less than 0.25 mm.

Filament color.—Grayish-white.

Style length.—4 mm.

Style color.—Grayish-white.

Stigma shape.—Oval.

Stigma color.—Gray.

Ovary shape.—Slightly oblong to globose.

Ovary dimensions.—Too small to match, but approximately 0.5 mm long and0.5 mm wide.

Ovary position.—Superior.

Ovary color.—Green.

Anther shape.—Reniform.

Anther length.—Less than 0.5 mm.

Anther color.—Dark brown to black.

Pollen amount.—Sparse.

Pollen color.—Orange.

Seeds:

Number of seeds.—2 per calyx.

Colour of seeds.—N200A.

Length of seeds.—1-2 mm. in length.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Lavandula plant named ‘Lavang38’ as described and illustrated.